Updates Oct - Nov 04

• 11/29/04 --PLEASE NOTE: For those who link to RochesterEnvironment.com or pages within this site, our address has changed.  The actual web site address is now: http://rochesterenvironment.com/
•  11/29/04 -- Trouble understanding energy choices? "Voice Your Choice" Public Meetings - In order to help RG&E's 350,000 customers voice their choice, the state's Public Service Commission is holding public meetings across the area. The four basic options are: 1)RG&E fixed rate, 2) RG&E variable rate, 3)ESCO fixed rate, 4)ESCO variable rate. In all four cases, RG&E will still deliver their electricity. Judy Braiman, Empire State Consumer Association, recommends examining your bills and watching gas prices. (November 29, 2004) MSNBC - News Front Page
•  11/28/04 -- Looking for all environmental resources on the Internet?  I have closed down GreenSolitaire.org, a project to map the environment online since 1998, and it is now a part of RochesterEnvironment.com.  Global Environmental Resources (originally called "Green Solitaire" is a project that began in 1998 to map all the Environmental Information online.  This site provides all Environmental Issues (including Oceans - Global Warming - Amphibian Loss - The Loss of Biodiversity - Overpopulation ) and Environmental News - Environmental Action sites: - Environmental Causes - Practical Stuff - Environmental Philosophy - Kids Stuff for the Environment - Online Environmental Organizations -  Environmental Government sites: -Environmental Reading: - Environmental Facts - Environmental Quotes & Environmental Vocabulary . Though it will never be complete, it provides all the online resources for individuals to monitor and help our environment. 
•  11/28/04 -- Looking for environmentally friendly holiday gift ideas?  Check out this site as mentioned in  Holidays inspire recycling spirit - One million extra tons of solid waste is generated each week in the United States between Thanksgiving and New Year's. That includes 38,000 miles of discarded gift ribbon — more than enough to tie around the Earth at the equator.  (November 28, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle    Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) was formed in 1985 by a small group of concerned citizens who recognized the need to provide public involvement in the course of advancing stronger environmental policy. Today, after 19 years as a not-for-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization, CCE has grown to an 80,000-member organization with offices in Farmingdale, White Plains, Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo, New York. CCE continues to work to empower the public by providing members with opportunities to participate in the political process and thereby advance a progressive environmental agenda.
•  11/23/04 -- Traveling in Rochester? Find out the weather conditions, accident problems, tie-ups etc. Travel Info New York / Travelinfony.com / Metro Rochester:
•  11/22/04 -- Need help paying heating bills? HEAP The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded energy assistance program. New York's grant is allocated among OTDA for a heating benefit program, the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal for weatherization activities and the State Office for the Aging for outreach and referral activities. Applications are taken at all local departments of social services. For information on where to apply, call 1-800-342-3009.
•  11/22/04 -- Should we drill for oil in the Artic? Check out a movie on the subject: Oil on Ice - The Fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) "Oil on Ice is a vivid, compelling and comprehensive documentary connecting the fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to decisions America makes about energy policy, transportation choices, and other seemingly unrelated matters. Caught in the balance are the culture and livelihood of the Gwich’in people and the migratory wildlife in this fragile ecosystem."
•  11/19/04 -- Smog is not good. Read the new study: Study links ozone, mortality in urban areas More people die daily in U.S. urban areas when the level of ground-level ozone is higher during the previous week, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “This is one of the largest ozone pollution studies ever conducted,” said Michelle Bell, the study’s lead author and assistant professor of environmental health at Yale’s environment school. --from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
•  11/19/04 -- Global Warming will affect Rochester too.  Interested in the "Effects of Global Warming? Read "Observed Impacts of Climate Change in the United States."  -from Global Warming:The Pew Center on Global Climate Change
•  11/16/04 --DEC ACCEPTING HABITAT/ACCESS FUNDING GRANT APPLICATIONS - Projects Will Target Improved Habitat and Outdoor Recreational Opportunities - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today announced that DEC is requesting proposals for grants that will fund projects aimed at improving fish and wildlife habitat and public access for hunting, fishing, trapping and other fish and wildlife related recreation and study. The grants will allow municipalities, not-for-profit corporations and individuals to carry out small scale projects that will benefit natural resources and the sportsmen and women of New York State. Funds can be requested in amounts between $1,500 and $14,999 to conduct improvement projects. Grant proposals must be submitted using the application supplied by DEC and following the procedures outlined in the "Habitat/Access Stamp Funding Program, Application and Instructions (Fiscal Year 2004)" available from DEC. Proposals should describe how the project will meet the objective of improving habitat for fish and wildlife or improving access to those resources. Applicants must own the land where the project will be implemented or have permission from the landowner to carry out the activity. Grant applications will be available at any of the DEC Regional Offices throughout New York and on the DEC website. Applications must be submitted to: Gerald Barnhart, Director, NYS DEC Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York, 12233-4750. The grant application deadline is Friday, January 7, 2005. Grant applications may be obtained by contacting any DEC Regional Office or from the DEC website: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/habstamp/  Regional Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources staff are available to provide applicants with technical assistance.
•  11/16/04 -- Time to Choose:  Choose your Energy: RG&E: <i>Voice Your Choice</i> for Electricity Supply You Choose, We Deliver. With RG&E's Voice Your Choice program, you can choose to buy your electricity supply from RG&E or an energy services company (ESCO). Similar to the decision to finance a home, you have the option of choosing a variable or fixed rate for the electricity supply portion of your bill. It's important to review your choices and to choose your Electricity Supply Pricing Option before 8:30 p.m. on December 30, 2004. Your choice will take effect on January 1, 2005 and will continue through December 31, 2005. With any choice you make, new electricity prices will be in effect for a one-year period from January 1, 2005 until December 31, 2005.
•  11/16/04 -- More on Invasive Species - Asian Carp and the Great Lakes --from the EPA. Find out what effect these invasive species might have on the Great Lakes.
•  11/15/04 -- PLEASE NOTE: Changes coming for RochesterEnvironment.com's Newsletter - Because of the changes in policies by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) it is problematical to send large amounts of e-mails at once. ISP's are trying to defeat spam.  But in doing so they make it difficult for legitimate non-profit organizations to contact large populations with their newsletters.  So, here at RochesterEnvironment.com there will be a change in how the newsletter is delivered online--most probably we will use a specialized online service to operate the newsletter.  Until then, it will be difficult to get the newsletter out.  From now on, though, we will post the newsletter online each Sunday.
•  11/14/04 --**EVENT** Friends Helping Friends and Sri Salthya Sai Center presenting at Rochester Area Vegetarian Society Meeting (11/21) - Where: Brighton Town Park Lodge: 777 Westfall Road (between S. Clinton & E. Henrietta Rd.)  When: Sunday, November 21 at 5:30 pm for potluck, program begins @ 7pm.- Andrew Stankevich will be speaking about vegetarian issues in the soup kitchen and food cupboard provider business, as related to Friends Helping Friends. Naval Rao from the Sri Salthya Sai Center will be speaking about vegetarianism, from a Sai Baba perspective. Rochester Area Vegetarian Society -Friend Helping Friends - International Sai Organization
•  11/14/04 -- --**EVENT** From City Newspaper: The Center for Environmental Information is holding a public meeting to gather input on environmental issues important to Rochester residents on Wednesday, November 17, City Council chambers, City Hall, 30 Church Street, 2-5:30 p.m. 262-2870.
•  The 11/14/04 -- --**EVENT** From City Newspaper: Genesee Transportation Council is holding public meetings on draft recommendations for its "Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2005-2025."
  November 10, 2004
•  11/12/04 -- Lots going on at Cornell Lab of Ornithology The Mission of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: To interpret and conserve the Earth's biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on bitrds. Project FeederWatch Begins this Weekend! -The 2004-2005 edition of Project FeederWatch gets underway tomorrow (November 13) and goes through early April. This is our 18th year for Project FeederWatch and that means we're now better able to track changes in distribution and numbers from year to year. Sometime during this FeederWatch season we will receive our one-millionth checklist! Whoever submits that milestone checklist will win prizes donated by the Lab and its sponsors, including a new pair of Swift binoculars. Find out everything you need to know about Project FeederWatch at www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw . And don't worry if you can't start counting until later in the month or even December. Start when you can, but keep those counts coming! Great Backyard Bird Count Ambassadors Wanted The biggest birding event of the year is just around the corner. The Great Backyard Bird Count will take place February 18-21, 2005. Would you like to help us promote it? We'll send you a packet that includes beautiful posters, the press release, how-to sheets, and other materials, including ideas for ways to help us get the word out. More than 300 people joined our efforts as ambassadors last year. If you'd like to help this year, email Jennifer Smith at jls39@cornell.edu  and put "GBBC ambassador" in the subject heading.
•  11/12/04 --**EVENT** Home Owners:  Reduce Your Environmental Impact and Save Money  with the latest energy-efficient furnaces  - WHEN: 7:00 PM Wednesday November 17, 2004 - WHERE: The "Old Jail" 125 E Court St, Ithaca, 1st floor conference room - The Finger Lakes Group of the Sierra Club offers it’s second in our fall series of presentations by local experts on residential energy-efficient and alternative energy systems. Presented by John Kaminsky, Chair of the Finger Lakes Group of the Sierra Club and a Comfort Consultant at Wheaton’s Heating & Air Conditioning · Gas forced air furnaces have seen a lot of experimentation and development over the last several years. John will explain the three current energy efficient designs in home heating. · Radiant heat is the latest trend using hot water for heating and gas-fired boiler designs are finally getting their efficiencies up to a respectable level. · Come learn about the new mandates for increased efficiency coming into effect in 2006 for air conditioning units. · If you want some idea of what’s available in energy-efficient home heating and air conditioning equipment and what the future holds, then this presentation is for you. This event is free and open to the public. Contact John Kaminsky at 257-5909 for more information.
•  11/11/04 --From the NYS DEC: For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Maureen Wren - Tuesday, November 9, 2004 (518) 402-8000 - DEC REMINDS HUNTERS ABOUT BENEFITS OF VENISON DONATION - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty today reminded sportsmen and women across New York State that they can contribute venison to help feed the hungry by taking deer to participating meat processors and donating meat to the Venison Donation Coalition. Regular deer season opened on October 23, 2004, in the Northern Zone and opens on November 22, 2004, in the Southern Zone. “The Venison Donation program has proven to be a very successful and popular way for hunters to help food banks meet demand, while also helping control deer populations,” Commissioner Crotty said.The Venison Donation Coalition was established in the year 2000 to help organizations that wanted to begin or enhance a Venison Donation Program in their area. Many statewide and local sportsmen groups are involved, including: the New York State Conservation Council, the Western New York Safari Club, Westchester County Bowhunters, Columbia, Greene, Dutchess and Schenectady County Sportsmen Federations, to name a few. In just four years, over 250,000 pounds of venison have been donated, processed and distributed through New York’s Food Bank network. That equates to one million servings of venison in four short years. “It’s a great program all the way around,” said Venison Donation Coalition President Greg Heffner. Paul Hesler, Director of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, said, “We can’t keep it in the freezer.” Legislation was recently enacted that authorizes DEC to enable people to contribute a dollar to the Venison Donation Program when they purchase their sporting license. DEC’s Automated License Sales (DECALS) system will accept contributions starting next fall. When venison is brought to participating processors for donation, the meat is processed at no cost to the hunter. Participating processors can be located by logging onto DEC’s Web site at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/deer/venison.htm
  and clicking on the “Venison Donation Coalition,” or by contacting the Venison Donation Coalition at 1-866-862-3337 (DEER) or visiting their website at www.VenisonDonation.com  . Additional information about New York State’s big game season can be found at www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/guide/huntseas.html  on DEC’s website.
•  11/10/04 --**EVENT** City Newspaper: This week's calls to citizenship The Genesee Transportation Council is holding public meetings on draft recommendations for its "Long Range Transportation Plan for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: 2005-2025." The nearest session takes place on Monday, November 15, in the Kate Gleason Auditorium of the Rochester Public Library, 115 South Avenue, on Monday, November 15, at 7 p.m. Comments can also be submitted via www.gtcmpo.org . Anyone needing special accommodations must call Jim Stack, 232-6240, 48 hours prior to meeting.--from City Newspaper
•  11/09/04 -- Rochester's Urban Forest --(from -- Tree-planting efforts take root - Rochester benefiting from renewed focus on urban forestry. — Once a week, Jim Rhody and a few friends — all volunteer "community foresters" — head into the woods at Durand-Eastman Park. They cut back weeds and otherwise care for the unique trees that range over the park's 1,000 acres. (November 9, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle)  Read For the full American Forests report on forest cover in five New York cities, including Rochester, go to:   http://clinton.senate.gov/~clinton/treereport.pdf Summary of Tree Cover, Planting Needs, and Benefits For Rochester, NY - As shown in the table below, the tree cover in Rochester is 23.9%. This tree cover estimate provides a baseline for general estimates of planting needs and ecosystem services. While more precise measurements can be made in the future (data for Rochester were obtained from Landsat satellite images), this analysis identifies the size of the tree deficit in Rochester and the scale of the plantings needed. What follows is a map of Rochester showing the areas by priority for planting trees. Priority is determined by where the planting of new trees will provide the most benefits for air and water quality. For instance, trees along water courses, such as riparian buffers, would be of the highest priority to protect water quality. The planting of trees on steep slopes is a second priority, since those trees will reduce soil erosion. A final priority area is where the soils are compacted, and trees would make those areas soak up more rain and reduce run-off. Opportunity is characterized by land cover – forested areas and parks offer more opportunities for planting than inner city streets. The top priority areas (shown in red) are where priority and opportunity are optimal. The next page of this summary for Rochester shows the current tree canopy (23.9% or 5,632 acres of the 23,563 total acres in the city), and the value of the air and water quality services those trees provide to the residents of Rochester. For instance, the existing urban forest in Rochester removes 8,663 lbs. of carbon monoxide annually, and we value that service at $3,697. In other words, if the trees were not removing carbon monoxide from the atmosphere in Rochester, we estimate it would cost $3,697 to remove that much carbon monoxide from the atmosphere through other techniques. Similarly, in terms of stormwater, the existing tree canopy in Rochester reduces stormwater run-off over 23 million cubic feet. If it costs, conservatively, $2.00 per cubic foot to construct those stormwater facilities, the value of the trees for stormwater mitigation is over $46 million. The final page of this summary for Rochester shows the additional benefits that would accrue from a 5 percentage point increase in the tree canopy of Rochester, estimated at 297,988 trees (see below). With this increase, Rochester would receive $210,656 more of air quality value annually from those 5% and $14 million of stormwater benefits. It is clear that tree planting doesn’t cost, it pays! Estimates of planting needs and associated benefits are calculated using the average urban tree (defined by American Forests as a tree with a 13.5 foot crown spread). Using this assumption there are 250 trees per acre
  when the tree cover measure is 100%.
•  11/09/04 --**EVENT**  Metro Justice's 23rd Annual ALTERNATIVE FAIR - Friday, December 3, 5-10 pm - Saturday, December 4, 9-3 pm - GIVE THE GIFT OF A BETTER WORLD - Gifts you feel good about, featuring hundreds of fair trade, earth friendly, and/or locally produced goods that support a just and sustainable world. Holiday shopping for the whole family, including clothing, toys, non-competitive games, pottery, and jewelry hand crafted by local artists, fair trade imports, and more. Food, entertainment, and free child care. First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 S. Winton Road - $3 for ages 12+, children under 12 free Questions, call Metro Justice at 325-2560
•  11/07/04 -- Looking for some Environmental Jobs? : From Monroe County Web site.Check out: Industrial Waste Engineer, P-74233
  Senior Industrial Waste Technician, OC-68178 - Industrial Waste Engineer, OC-64420 - Industrial Waste Technician, P-74567
  Senior Industrial Waste Technician, P-74566
•  11/06/04 -- Information everyone needs this year:  New York State Department of Health Influenza (Flu) Information
•  11/05/04 --**MY THOUGHTS** The State of our environment after the 2004 Elections: It is clear that the 2004 presidential elections did not focus much on the state of our environment. The candidates hardly discussed our deteriorating environment and the media did not give us much of a snapshot of where we are in maintaining a sustainable environment. Moreover, it is clear that the Bush administration will consider corporate interests before the collected knowledge of environmental experts when instituting policy. Pretty weird when you think of the ultimate consequences of an environment gone bad. Like Carl Sagan said, “If you cannot drink the water or breathe the air, anything else you want to do isn’t going to happen.” So, with everything else going on—Iraq, taxes, Social Security, gay marriages, political wrangling, etc—in the next several years, there is probably not going to be much attention on our environment from the major media and our politicians. Does this all mean that our environmental concerns can be thrown on the backburner? I think not. Nature is not much influenced by our short-term, human priorities; it pretty much has its own agenda. If we wish to have a healthy environment, ordinary people are going to have to pay attention to environmental issues and get involved. They are going to have to actively look for environmental news and information (and then act) because the environmental news they get from the major medias and politicians will probably come too late to do anything about potential disaster. The pubic is going to have to share that information with those who do not think the health of our environment is important. There are now lots of places online to get crucial environmental information, but most of that is directed to the country or world at large. Here you are lucky: RochesterEnvironment.com is a conduit for all environmental information and online links to our specific community. However, it is only one component of keeping ourselves informed. We must demand that our media and our politicians focus on our environment so that next time our citizens get it. If not, all our other concerns will be on the backburner.
•  11/05/04 --**ACTION** --From Kandid Coalition -YOU ARE INVITED TO A... PUBLIC MEETING CO Thursday November 11th, 7:00pm - Dewey Ave Presbyterian Church - 1261 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, NY - Be an informed citizen! Learn about an environmental experts new cuffing-edge report on air pollution near Kodak! You have the right to know! Learn about dangerous chemicals that have been found in the neighborhoods bordering Kodak, and what you can do to help improve the quality of life for Rochester residents. Complimentary refreshments will be served! World renowned Macarthur genius Wilma Subra has analyzed air-monitoring data around Eastman Kodak and will present the findings of her new report at a community meeting. -Wilma is a chemist that travels around the country helping communities living near chemical plants, has been featured on HBO in the award-winning film Blue Vinyl, lectured at Harvard, testified before Congress, helped draft environmental laws, consulted on cancer clusters and toxic spills and, in return, joined the elite club of Mac Arthur Foundation "genius" grant recipients. Also, consider joining Wilma Subra and the Kandid Coalition at a press conference the same day at 12 noon at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, Shaw Room, 121 Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, NY. Sponsored by the Kandid Coalition. Call the Kandid Coalition's bad air hotline at 585-234-0837 to let us know if you can come to the meeting and / or press conference, or if you'd like to help out.
•  10/07/04 --**MY THOUGHTS**  Trying to buttress our local economy with bad environmental solutions is going to be a constant threat in our future.  An example of this conundrum are the attempts to 'save' Rochester and the fast ferry with casinos.  We need comprehensive economic plans to construct strong and sustainable economic programs, not quick and chancy short-term solutions like gambling--which always bring with them a host of social and personal problems.  The latest in environmental and economic quick-fixes is the Riga Landfill Plan to accept trash outside the community.  Without commenting specifically on this plan to increase monies for Riga that offer residents tax breaks while they bring in more trash from around the country, I want to say that these kinds of solutions for economic growth and removing trash are incredibly short sighted.  The sustainable solution to trash is recycling.  Done properly, recycling can be a boon for manufacturing, creating job, and keeping our environment clean. Throwing more trash into the ground is always a bad solution (except for the land fill companies) because trash poisons the ground, the water and encourages more destruction of natural recourses instead of using our trash as a great potential for resources.  As times get tough for more communities, there will always be these bad ideas, gambling and throwing more trash into the ground, and they will always be presented as the best solution, when they are not.  Rochester has a lot more going for it than just another place to gamble and recycling is always a better idea than trashing. 
•  10/30/04 --**ACTION** Is a change in the way the DEC monitors waste sites a good idea? For the proposed policy, go to www.dec.state.ny.us/website/about/osenvmondraft.pdf.  Comments must be received by the end of the business day Nov. 5. Write to Henry Hamilton, NYSDEC, Office of Environmental Monitors, 625 Broadway, 12th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-1510. Or send e-mail to hlhamilt@gw.dec.state.ny.us.  Read about this: DEC may cut waste sites requiring monitors - — A proposal by administrators at the state Department of Environmental Conservation would substantially alter a 15-year policy that requires monitors at sites such as Kodak Park, where hazardous waste is disposed of, created or stored. If enacted, the policy would not specify the types of sites where monitors are required, and it would allow polluters to hire their own monitors. (October 29, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  10/27/04 -- This just in: A Place on online to talk about and help animals: Friends of Animals Invites Advocates and Media to Innovative Animal Rights Blog - Darien, Connecticut — Friends of Animals announced the opening of their redesigned Internet site, www.friendsofanimals.org . The new site features a leading-edge weblog with access to information about the organization’s work along with up-to-the-hour news and interactive commentary. It will provoke, inspire, and invite immediate dialogue. “It’s communication with people of keen awareness and creativity that transforms animal rights theory into a social movement,” said Priscilla Feral, Friends of Animals’ president. “The exploration of ideas we enjoy in the presence of dedicated advocates is ready to thrive in the public sphere, and the perfect technology is here.” The site provides the public and the media a window to animal rights perspectives in action. Visitors will not only find timely animal rights news clips and ideas, but can also comment on them. The result is a unique forum for creative discussion and incisive debate on the issues shaping the animal rights movement. Advocates will find the animal rights blog on the Friends of Animals home page, which presents a news billboard — each item linking a full-time, hosted forum for debate and commentary. Friends of Animals will continue to expand and enhance the site, in order to provide timely information on animal rights, peaceful cuisine, current events, and resourceful advocacy. Welcome to our home: http://www.friendsofanimals.org Friends of Animals is an international non-profit animal advocacy organization, incorporated in the state of New York in 1957. FoA works to cultivate a respectful view of nonhuman animals, free-living and domestic. Our goal is to free animals from cruelty and institutionalized exploitation around the world.--This message was sent by: Friends of Animals, 777 Post Road Ste 205, Darien, CT 06853
•  10/27/04 --**GOOD/BAD IDEAS** Lead Poisoning is a serious problem that Rochester takes seriously: City of Rochester's GetTheLeadOut program - Lead poisoning is a serious health problem that affects thousands of children each year. Although lead comes from many sources (the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink), lead poisoning in young children most often results from their eating lead-based paint chips or inhaling the dust. Lead-based paints are most often found in houses and buildings built before 1950. One way to protect children against lead poisoning is to remove the hazard.  This document explains the methods you can use to safely remove lead-based paints when remodeling or repairing your home. If you suspect any child is exposed to any lead hazards, that child should be tested for lead poisoning. Testing can be done by a physician, health center and/or the Monroe County Health Department.
•  10/26/04 -- Important information about environmental health from the Monroe County Health Department: Frequently Asked Questions About the Flu Vaccine Shortage -- Updated 10-22-04 
•  10/26/04 --**ACTION**This from Mike Schade, Western New York Director, Citizens' Environmental Coalition, 543 Franklin Street., Buffalo, New York 14202 (716) 885-6848 Phone - (716) 885-6845 Fax - cecmike@choiceonemail.com - http://www.cectoxic.org/ - http://www.ecothreatny.org/ - http://www.kodakstoxiccolors.org/ - "Action Alert - Save the DEC Monitors Program - Don’t let the fox guard the hen house! The DEC is accepting public comments until October 29th on a new plan that would allow major polluters to monitor themselves, instead of having DEC employees oversee hazardous facilities. This new policy will no longer require hazardous waste incinerators, landfills, hazardous waste facilities, toxic dumps undergoing cleanup, and facilities with a history of violations to be independently monitored! This flies in the face of DEC’s 15-year monitoring approach, which calls for DEC monitors at sites that pose an "increased potential hazard to human health and the environment." Facilities will either not be independently monitored at all, or will be monitored by private companies paid directly by polluters with no allegiance to the public and no responsibility to protect the health and welfare of the citizens of New York. In addition to allowing companies to hire their own monitors, the new policy requires on-site monitors only at a limited number of facilities that use hazardous waste. DEC currently requires on-site monitors for hundreds of dangerous facilities that use, store, and release extremely hazardous chemicals into the environment. Please take action today! Comment by October 29th, urge the DEC to hold public hearings around the state on this new policy, and to maintain on-site monitoring. Tell the DEC all major pollution sources need to be monitored by DEC employees. Comments can be sent to: hlhamilt@gw.dec.state.ny.us  The proposed policy can be found at: www.dec.state.ny.us/website/about/osenvmondraft.pdf  Please send a copy of your comments to cecmike@choiceonemail.com  Thank you!"
•  10/16/04 - Check it out: Filmmakers Dale Djerassi and Bo Boudart, in association with Lobitos Creek Ranch and Sierra Club Productions ( www.sierraclub.org ), today announced the launch of the Oil on Ice educational WebDVD. Oil on Ice ( www.oilonice.org  ) is a multi-faceted media project about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the controversy over drilling for oil there.Oil on Ice - The Fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Oil on Ice is a one-hour television documentary/WebDVD that examines the the battle over oil development within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This is a classic struggle in a stunning place, featuring the dramatic wildlife that adapted to this environment and the cultures of the Gwich’in Athabascan Indians and Inupiat Eskimos that rely on this wildlife for their subsistence. The film and WebDVD project exposes the risks of oil extraction in this extreme environment. What happens if another oil spill occurs on the coastal plain or under an ice-covered Beaufort Sea? How can one rationalize development of irreplaceable wilderness areas or ignore the cultural survival of indigenous populations? Already, Eskimo residents and leaders of the North Slope Borough are criticizing the impacts of oil development to their lands and their seas. Gwich’in Indian residents of Arctic Village, on the southern boundary of the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, fear their community’s caribou hunting will be severely impacted by oil development in the Refuge.
•  10/16/04 - How the air up north of us? October 14, 2004 - The summer of 2004 was wet, cold -- and surprisingly smoggy. To-date Ontario has recorded 34 smog days in 2004 compared to 37 in 2003. And, according to the Toronto Environmental Alliance, Toronto has recorded 14 smog advisories in 2004 compared to 12 in 2003.  Smog and poor air quality are made worse by high temperatures and sunlight. But even during a summer during which both of these factors seemed to be more noticeable by their absence, Ontario continued to suffer major air quality problems. This situation is a reminder of the need for the Ontario government to move forward aggressively on its pledge to eliminate coal-fired electricity generation by 2007 and to make the most of this opportunity to improve public health and the environment. As recent Ontario Clean Air Alliance reports have shown, eliminating coal power will also eliminate the province’s largest source of toxic mercury to the air and a major producer of dangerous particulate matter and greenhouse gases. (See our website for a copy of Mercury Rising: Mercury emissions from Ontario Power Generation’s Coal-fired Plants.)
•  10/16/04 -This article caught our eye.  Amphibian extinctions and deformities mostly below the major medias news threshold, but over the years I'm hearing more and more about this troubling indicator of world-wide environmental health -Amphibian Extinctions Sound Global Eco-alarm, Says Study - They may thrive on land and in water, but amphibians everywhere are in serious trouble, and up to one-third of species are threatened with extinction, a troubling new study said on Friday. Scientists say this is an ominous sign for other creatures, including humans, as amphibians are widely regarded as biological "canaries in the coal mine," since their permeable skin is highly sensitive to changes in the environment. In short, they go first, and others follow. -- Enn.com
•  10/15/04 -- This from the Common Good Planning Center! Welcome to the October E-Bulletin. - http://www.cgpc.org/newsletters/enews-2004-10.shtml  In this issue, you'll find:   an argument that regional land use planning is key to regional economic success - a guy in a bunny suit drawing attention to pedestrian rights  - a battle--replete with a suspicious fire--over a proposed adult club in Wayne County "Planning on the Edge" conference - Smart Growth is Smart Business - Aging Americans: Stranded Without Options - Dare to Share - Link to the Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists
•  10/15/04 --**EVENT**  ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS?? - NOVEMBER 16, 2004 7 PM - PLEASE JOIN US FOR A SHOWING OF THE MOVIE "THE FUTURE OF FOOD" TO SEE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WITH GROWING AND USING THESE FOODS AND HOW YOU CAN  HELP MAKE IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THIS INDUSTRY. WHEN: NOVEMBER 16, 2004 7 PM - WHERE: HENRIETTA UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST - 1400 LEHIGH STATION ROAD - FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL JUDY AT 381- 4508. - RESERVATIONS ENCOURAGED, BUT NOT NECESSARY - This program is sponsored by the Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists.
•  10/15/04 --**EVENT** Lead Poisoning - Pat Boprey, coordinator for the Finger Lakes Lead Resource Center will speak on Monday, October 25, at 8:15 at the First Baptist Church, 1862 Penfield Road, Penfield. Pat, who is also a social worker in pediatrics at Rochester General Hospital, will explain the problem of lead poisoning and the work of the Coalition Against Lead Poisoning. This program is sponsored by the Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists.
•  10/14/04 --Interested in Renewable Energy in the Rochester area? Check out: Renewable Energy Network of Entrepreneurs in Western New York (RENEW NY) is dedicated to helping early stage renewable energy companies start and grow in the western portion of New York State. Services provided by RENEW NY include: Catalogue of western NY renewable energy companies and resources - Inventory of renewable energy intellectual property - Matchmaking entrepreneurs with risk capital sources - Assistance with grants and awards - Coaching and mentoring - Networking - Education and training - Raising awareness of renewable energy companies located in western NY - RENEW NY was formed in May of 2004 based on a 3-year contract with New York State
•  10/13/04 --**EVENT** Oct 22 Soil Health Workshop - Soil Health Workshop - October 22, 2004 - 1 - 3 pm - Peacework Organic Farm - 2218 Welcher Rd., off Rt. 88, north of Newark - Are you concerned about the health of your soils? Have you been cropping your soils too hard? Join the Cornell Soil Health Team on October 22nd from 1 - 3 pm at Peacework Organic Farm in Newark for a Soil Health Workshop. We will demonstrate tests of soil biological and physical health and how growers can test/sample their own soils. Some topics to be covered include: soil aggregate stability with simulated rainfall; soil compaction; PMN and decomposition tests of soil microbial activity; pathogenic and beneficial nematodes; soil disease-suppressive capacity; and, beneficial cover crops and green manures. Summaries of local and statewide Team activities on growers' farms, as well as current research, will be presented. Growers can bring 1 pint plow layer soil samples representative of their fields for pH testing. Pre-registration is required. Contact Carol MacNeil, Cooperative Extension - Vegetables, at 585-394-3977 ext. 33 or crm6@cornell.edu . A Seed Saving Workshop wi! ll be conducted from 9 am - noon, prior to the Soil Workshop, by the Public Seed Initiative. Seed threshing and cleaning will be demonstrated. Contact Teri Ferrin at 315-787-2396 to pre-register. Bring a bag lunch if you'll be staying for both meetings and dress for outdoors. Peacework Organic Farm is at 2218 Welcher Rd., off Rt. 88, north of Newark.
•  10/12/04 --**EVENT** Should we open up local landfill to accept other community's waste? A public information meeting on the proposal will be held Oct. 27 at Town Hall. Landfill plan raises stink in Riga - RIGA — A county proposal to allow the Mill Seat Landfill to accept waste from outside the county is angering town officials. The Town Board met Monday — nine months after some town officials were introduced to the proposal — to discuss who promised what to whom concerning the proposed change in landfill use. (October 12, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle
•  10/10/04 --**EVENT** 'New York :: Penfield: Hike at the Thousand Acre Swamp Sanctuary -Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004 - 2:00 PM -Learn how the plants and animals of the Swamp survive the winter. Meeting Location: Hikes begin in the sanctuary parking lot, located in Penfield on Jackson Road between Atlantic Avenue and Plank Road, opposite Penfield Center Road. The driveway is adjacent to Penfield Volunteer Ambulance. Please be prompt. --from New York :: The Nature Conservancy of New York
•  10/10/04 --Recycling: Remember: New York State/America Recycles Day Support New York State/America Recycles Day Every November 15 -New York State/America Recycles Day is our way of promoting recycling and buying recycled in New York State. Various educational events featuring waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and buy recycled will take place in August, September, October and November. This will lead to a culmination celebration of New York State/America Recycles Day every November 15. New York State/America Recycles Day is part of a national event - America Recycles Day. Every year there are thousands of events in 48 states and two U.S. territories!!-from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Protecting New York's Environment and Managing Its Natural Resources
•  10/10/04 -- Hunting season is coming up.  Get all the info and regulations NYS DEC DFWMR - Hunting  -from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Protecting New York's Environment and Managing Its Natural Resources
•  10/10/04 --**EVENT** ''PLANTING DAY'' VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE HELPING CITY BLOSSOM! -Rochester Blossoms!, a one-day beautification project relying on volunteer efforts, invites green thumbs for the eleventh year to plant flower bulbs in city parks throughout Rochester, 9 a.m. -1 p.m., Sat., Oct. 16 (meeting at 400 Dewey Ave.) The project is a part of the City’s successful 14-year-old Flower City Looking Good Gardening Program, which has engaged thousands of gardening enthusiasts. The event also coincides with the national "Make a Difference Day."--from City of Rochester News Releases
•  10/10/04 --**ACTION** It's not too late for you to be the lucky 1 millionth! If you enjoy feeding birds, consider joining the 16,000 Project FeederWatchers who count the numbers and kinds of birds that visit their bird feeders through the winter. These data help determine changes in abundance and distribution of North American feeder birds. Sometime this season, someone, somewhere will submit FeederWatch's 1 millionth FeederWatch data submission. This milestone symbolizes a unique effort to help ensure the future of the birds we all love. To show appreciation on behalf of the birds, Lab sponsor Wild Bird Centers is donating a pair of Swift 10 x 42 Ultra-Lite binoculars, and sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited is donating an elegantly designed bird feeder. Thank you, sponsors! Project FeederWatch will provide lifetime participation in the project, as part of a fun and fabulous gift package from the Lab and Bird Studies Canada. Learn more about FeederWatch or sign up by visiting www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw  or call 800/843-2473 in the U.S. (607/254-2475 outside the U.S.).
•  10/10/04 --**EVENT** World Water Monitoring Day On October 18, citizens of the global community will join in World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD), a worldwide opportunity to positively impact the health of rivers, lakes, estuaries and other waterbodies. Volunteer monitoring groups, water quality agencies, students, and the general public are invited to test four key indicators of water quality: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity.
•  10/03/04 --**EVENT** COUNTY AND GREECE TO HOST HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION - During 2003, the Monroe County Department of Environmental Services, in cooperation with the Eastman Kodak Company, safely disposed of 241 tons of hazardous material Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks today announced that the County’s Department of Environmental Services (DES) and the Town of Greece have joined forces to hold an appointment-only Household Hazardous Waste collection at the Greece Department of Public Works, 647 Long Pond Road, on Saturday, October 16, 2004, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Most Household Hazardous Waste (paint, flammables and other chemicals for home-use) is safe when used and stored properly. When they become unwanted and are disposed of improperly, these household wastes can become environmental hazards. This program is another example of the collaboration between the County and our towns and villages to enhance services in our community,” said Brooks. “This collection gives residents the opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste in a safe and secure environment, and allows us to recycle items that otherwise would have been sent to the landfills.” To ensure safety and reduce waiting times, appointments are required at all Household Hazardous Waste collections. To schedule an appointment, residents should call the Greece DPW at 225-4590 between 7am – 3pm. Waste from businesses will not be accepted. Up to 30 gallons (liquid) and 75 pounds (solid) of the following materials will be accepted per appointment at no charge: • Oil-based & Latex Paint (for 1/3-gallon or less of latex paint: discard lid, add kitty litter, let dry, place can in trash) • Wood Stain & Preservatives • Automotive Fluids (antifreeze; brake, power steering and transmission fluids)• Pesticides & Fertilizers • Flammable Products (gasoline, kerosene, thinners, strippers, solvents) • Household Cleaners (liquid soaps & waxes, drain cleaners, etc.) • Driveway Sealer • Pool & Photo Chemicals • Rechargeable (Ni-Cad) & Button Batteries • Mercury (thermometers, thermostats) • Syringes/Sharps (safely packaged)  Please Do Not Bring: used motor oil & vehicle batteries (contact service station or retailer); cans with dried paint (if it rattles when shaken – remove lid and place in trash); empty containers (trash or recycle); everyday alkaline batteries (trash); glazing/spackle & joint compounds (trash); and, propane tanks (these can be brought to the county’s permanent facility—by appointment only). The county expects to amass approximately 15 tons of hazardous material at this collection. DES, in cooperation with the Eastman Kodak Company, will properly dispose of (or recycle) this material. If residents are unable to take advantage of this mobile Household Hazardous Waste collection, the county’s permanent collection facility is open weekly (by appointment only). For more information, or for business waste disposal options, call DES at 760-7600 (option 3), or go on-line at www.monroecounty.gov  under Environmental Services. # # # For further information, call: Department of Communications at 428-2380  Visit us on the web: www.monroecounty.gov  
•  10/07/04 --**MY THOUGHTS** - Although, I believe that our state government is doing all it can and acting appropriately in the latest flu vaccine shortage, I think our country and other countries as well should debate the problem of market-based vaccine production.  The problem is that there is little money to be gained in vaccine production and only large corporations can make money on vaccines.  This means that there are only a few companies making vaccines we need each year.  If something goes wrong with one company's vaccine, as happened this year, a serious shortage can result.  Because of the particular danger of flu epidemics, ( The Influenza Pandemic of 1918  which killed over twenty million people) all people, young, old, and healthy adults, could be at risk of a major world-wide epidemic if there is a widespread vaccine flu virus shortage. This is a real threat to our health and our leaders should rethink about how vaccine production is manufactured so that a malfunction in one company does not result in a world-wide shortage. See:  State Health Commissioner Offers Advice in Response to National Flu Vaccine Shortage Albany, NY, October 6, 2004 — In the wake of yesterday's announcement that nearly half of the nation's expected doses of influenza vaccine will not be available this flu season, State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello, M.D., M.P.H., Dr. P.H. is urging New Yorkers to take simple precautions to prevent the spread of the flu virus and to help health practitioners and officials better ensure that the currently available doses get to New Yorkers who need them most. Based on the shortage, which occurred when the British government prohibited the Liverpool, England-based vaccine manufacturer, Chiron Corporation, from releasing nearly 50 million doses of flu vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made interim recommendations for influenza vaccination during the 2004-05 season. New York State Department of Health
• 10/06/04 -- Interesting concern.  This is not something we usually think about as an environmental concern, but from  insider - Rochester remixed take a look at Radon: Beware of radon. - "Another gas, this one is natural, radioactive and present in soil — and it can cause lung cancer. If the ground around your house is frozen, radon frequently has nowhere to go except into unfrozen basements. Because this gas is invisible, odorless and has no taste, special kits must be used to detect it. To order a radon detection kit, call the New York State Health Department at (800) 458-1158. For more information on radon, go to: www.epa.gov/RadonPubs/rducrsks.html " - (October 6, 2004)  insider - Rochester remixed
•  10/03/04 --**ACTION** Action Alert from Citizen's Environmental Coalition:- Contact NY Governor Pataki and ask him to sign PVC  pipe restriction law - The NY Assembly and Senate have recently passed legislation banning the use of toxic PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) pipes in NYS. This legislation is being sent to Governor Pataki for his signature, however he has come under intense pressure from industry to veto the legislation. Governor Pataki needs to hear from YOU, that you support this landmark legislation that would protect New Yorkers from the use of dangerous PVC in major buildings across the state.> This is the first and only statewide PVC plastic pipe ban in the nation, and since roughly 50% of all PVC is used in pipes, and NY is one of the largest single economies on the planet, this is hugely significant for all of our work for a clean and healthy environment.Log onto http://cectoxic.home.igc.org/action.html and please take action today!
•  10/03/04 --**EVENT** Environmental justice public forum in Syracuse - October 12th, Syracuse - An Evening with Lois Gibbs (Love Canal activist), Vernice Miller-Travis (Harlem environmental justice activist) Dr. Sandra Steingraber (Bestselling author and expert on toxics), Joanne Shanendoah (Grammy award-winning  musician), and more! 3pm, Syracuse University Hendricks Chapel and 7pm, South Presbyterian Church (corner of South Salina and W. Colvin) For more information, log onto www.onondagacreek.org
•  10/01/04 -- **GOOD/BAD IDEAS** One of the problems with changing our country's dependence on oil is doing so without causing major disruptions in our energy use.  This program by RG&E looks on the face of it as a reasonable way to merge wind power technology into the existing power grid.  10/01/04 -- Democrat & Chronicle: 1,000th customer catches the wind RG&E plan brings in power on the breeze. To learn more For more information on RG&E's Catch the Wind, call (877) 743-9463 or go online to www.rge.com. — The winds of fortune were with Nancy Runser of Fairport this week. The stay-at-home mother of three was named the 1,000th customer for Catch the Wind. The Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. program, announced in April, offers a way for customers to buy wind-generated electricity. Most power is generated from such sources as coal, natural gas and nuclear energy.  (October 1, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle